Injury Concerns for Lexie Hull Ahead of Game 3

Lexie Hull is once again listed in the injury report, dealing with a potential rear injury. The Fever are gearing up to face the Las Vegas Aces in Game 3 of the WNBA semi-finals on Friday night.

Hull has been a vital player for Indiana this season, contributing significantly despite the team facing multiple injuries, including key players like Caitlyn Clark, Sophie Cunningham, Ahri MacDonald, and Sidney Colson. During the regular season, she averaged 7.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 steals, making an appearance in all 44 games.

Her postseason performance has improved, as she is now averaging 9.4 points and is tied with Natasha Howard as the Fever’s fourth leading scorer.

Defensively, Hull’s role has been crucial as well. She’s often matched up against top perimeter players from opposing teams. In the critical Game 3 against the Atlanta Dream, she was instrumental in securing a steal that led to a win, which advanced the Fever to the semi-finals.

On Thursday, head coach Stephanite White offered a hopeful update on Hull’s condition. “I expect her to be ready unless something unexpected happens,” White shared with Indystar’s Chloe Peterson.

Rest of the Fever Need to Step Up

Interestingly, Hull appeared on the injury report prior to Tuesday’s loss to the Aces but still managed to hit five three-pointers and score a total of 15 points. Though she was seen with heat pads on the bench, she showed no signs of holding back during plays, diving for loose balls and playing aggressively at both ends.

If Hull ends up being sidelined, the Fever will look to Kelsey Mitchell, who has been exceptional. As one of five MVP finalists, Mitchell is averaging 23.4 points in the playoffs, which puts her second among WNBA players.

Additionally, starting point guard Odyssey Sims, who joined the Fever through a hardship deal last month, will likely need to take on more offensive responsibilities. She has been averaging 13.2 points and five assists per game during the playoffs, making her the Fever’s second leading scorer.

As they prepare for Friday’s game, the Fever are aiming to take a 2-1 lead against the Aces. However, they’ll need to contend with the formidable A’ja Wilson, a four-time MVP, who will certainly be a challenge.